Archery is the national sport. Other sports are basketball, soccer and fusbal.

Animals

Red Pandas; Elephants; Golden Langurs; Bengal Tigers

Facts of Interest

The word “Bhutan” translates to “Land of the Thunder Dragon.” The nickname derives from the strong storms that roll in from the Himalayas.

Bhutan is the only country in the world where the sale of tobacco is banned.

The government lifted a ban on TV and the Internet in 1999.

Concerns

Bhutan has religious freedom (as of 2008), but forbids “coercion or inducement” which has been interpreted to forbid Christians from evangelizing.

Bhutan is locked in an ongoing dispute with China over the common boundary between the two countries.

Bhutan’s economy is small but has the capacity for much growth if they are able to build hydropower plants. They are currently behind schedule in building 12 plants.

Mission

Bhutan is one of the least evangelized countries in the world. Christians are persecuted and prior to 2008, Bhutanese who became Christians would lose their citizenship. Most ministry is situated near the border with Nepal. Although there is religious freedom, there is still much reported persecution of Christians.